Antitheft spare-wheel device



Dec. '31, 1929.

Filed Nov. 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l De@ 31, 29 R. W; @HNSQN ANTITHEFT SPARE WHEEL DEVIE 2 Sheets-SheeL 2 Filed Nov. 26, 1923 40 is a vertical, sectional view, on an enlarged outwardly with reference to a plane at right Patented Dec. 31, 1929 l 1,741,314

UNITEDA STATES PATENT OFFICE RAY W. JOHNSON, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ANTITHEFT SPARE-WHEEL DEVICE `Application led November 26, 1923. Serial No. 676,883.

This invention relates to improvements in 9,10, 11, 12 and 13 are views similar to Figanti-theft spare wheel device. ures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 respectively, illustrat- Itis a common practice for automobilists ing a different embodiment of the invention. to carry a complete spare wheel with a rim ln said drawings, referring first to Fi-gures 5 and tire thereon ready to be placed on the 1 to 7 inclusive, 10 denotes a dummy spindle 55 i vehicle to replace one of the wheels in use in or support which is permanently secured to the event of puncture df a tire, such spare the rear or other part of the automobile L wheel being generally mounted on a shaft or body, by any suitable means such as a plate dummy spindle permanently secured in place 11 and bracket 12', in such a manner as to on the rear of the automobile body. Much positively prevent removal, of the dummy annoyance and many losses are frequently spindle 10 from the car body without the aid occasioned by theft of such spare wheels, parof special tools and destroying some part of ticularly in large cities when the automobile the support or spindle. A wheel is indiis'parked unprotected for any length of time. cated at 13, the same being of well-known 15 The principal object of my invention is to form, being herein illustrated as of the disc 6 provide a relatively inexpensive, simple and type, provided with the usual hub 14. The thoroughly effective` device which will prewheel 13 is mounted on the dummy spindle vent the unauthorized removal of the spare in the manner shown in Figure 2, that is, with r wheel from its usual mounting on the dummy the free end of the spindle 1() projecting be- 0 spindle permanently secured to the automoyond the outer side of the hub. The projectbile body. ing end of the spindle is threaded, as is cus- A specific object of my invention is to protomary for the reception of the usual clampvide a device of the character indicated which ing nut. y v will be adapted to be secured to the outer end In carrying out my invention, as illustrated of the dummy spindle and locked in such a in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, my improved antimanner as to prevent detachment thereof and theft device is applied to the dummy spindle which can only be removed by the use of a to retain the wheel in place thereon, the same particular key in possession of the automoheilig screwed on to the threaded end of the bile owner. spindle, replacing the usual clamping nut. 33 Other objects and advantages of the inven- The anti-theft device proper, as illustrated tion will more clearly appear from the dein Figures 1 to7 inclusive, comprises broadly, scription and claims hereinafter following. a housing A; a nut or collar B; and a lock- In the drawings forming a part of this mechanism C. specification, Figure 1 is an elevationalview The housing -A is preferably in the form of a spare wheel mounted in the customary of a casting of suitable heavy construction, -manner on the dummy spindle permanently the same comprising a hub like portion 15 secured to the back or any other suitable part provided with a pair of oppositely proj ectin of an automobile body and illustrating my inintegral, radially disposed arms 16 and 1g, vention in connection therewith. Figure 2 the arms being preferably slightly inclined scale, taken substantially on the line 22 of angles to the axis of the hub. The hub 15 has Figure 1 with the wheel and other parts parta cylindrical socket 18 formed therein, adaptlyvbroken' away. Figure 3 is a still further `ed to receive the nut B. The arm 17 is holenlarged sectional view taken diametrically low, being provided with an outwardly openthrough the anti-theft device. Figures 4, 5 ing cylindrical socket 19 of relatively large 90 and 6 are enlarged detailed perspective views diameter adapted to house the lock-mechaof the parts of the locking means proper. nism C. The castingAis also provided with Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed perspective a bore 2O radial to the hub, communicating View of a threaded collar used in .connection with the side of the socket 18 and the bottom 50 with my improved device, and Figures 8, of the socket 19. The bore 20 is of cylindriof the nut with the housing.

cal cross section, of appreciably smaller diameter than the socket 19 and is -disposed in` axial alinementwith the latter.

The nut B is in the form of a cylindrical sleeve having internal screw threads. 21 adapted to coact with the usual threads at the outer end of the dummy spindle. The n ut B is of an externaldiameter to loosely fit the socket 18 so as to turn freely therein. To retain the nut assembled with the housing A for free rotation within the socket, a split spring ring 22 is provided,I the same being seated within alined annular grooves 23 and 24 formed respectively in the cylindrical wall of the socket and the exterior surface of the sleeve. The groove 24 is relatively deep, being of such a depth that the ring may be compressed and forced entirely into the same to clear the wall of the socket 18 when the nutis pushed into the same during the assembling ofthe parts. It will be evident that the ring is thus held under compression Vwhile the .nut is being pushed into the socket,

the ring being adapted to spring outwardly and snap into the groove 23 when it is brought into registration with the latte-r, thereby permanently holding the parts assembled. The groove 23 is relatively shallow, being of lesser depth than the thickness of the ring, so that the ring will project beyondthejinner surface of the socket a sufficient distance to remain engaged with the groove 24. To prevent rattling of the nut, a split spring washer 25 is preferably interposed between the inner end of the'nut and the bottom of the socket 18, the same being placed under slight compression when the ingly maintain side wall of the groove 24 and the ring 22. The friction created between the inner walls of the socket, nut and split ring Washer by the expansive force of the latter is sufficient to prevent accidental turning of thehousing A on the nut when the parts have been applied to the dummy spindle, whereby the housing is frictionally retained in position. The friction between these parts is considerably less than the friction between the threads on the nut end of the spindle when the nut is applied or removed, being insutiicient to effect turning The split spring washer thus serves the additional function of permitting the arms '16 and 17 of the housing to be left and retained in any desired position after the anti-theft device has been applied to the dummy spindle. The Wall of the sleeve 'B is also provided with a plurality of openings 26-26 arranged in circular series, each adapted to be brought into registration with the bore 20 and adapted to receive the bolt or plunger member of the locking mechanism. In the present instance the sleeve is shown as Iprovided with four equally spaced openings 26, but it will be evident that the number of openings :nav be varied within wide limits,

to prevent disengagement parts are assembled to yieldl contact betweenthe innermost it merel being necessary thatthe sleeve is the latter by means of inter-engaging lugs and arms 30 and 31 on the sleeves 28 and 27 respectively, each arm 31 engaging between two adjacent lugs 30 and having its end upset thereof. The lugs 30 have their outermost surfaces lying flush with the cylindrical outer surface of the eter of the sleeve 27 and is rigidly securedto sleeve 27 to form a continuation thereof. The 80 two-part sleeve 27-28 is housed within the socket 19 and the portion 27 is of a diameter to loosely fit the therein. At its outer end, the sleeve 27 is provided With an annular flange 32, the socketl 19 being suitably counter bored as indicated at 33 to receive the same. To retain the twopart sleeve 27-28 within the socket, a split spring ring 34 engaging within registering annular grooves in the sleeve and the counter bored portion of the socket respectively is provided, the arrangement being in all respects similar to the retaining means for the nut B, consisting of the ring 22, and the grooves 23 and 24 hereinbefore described.

The sleeve section 27 carries the key operated mechanism proper of the lock which may be of any well known type, it being merely essential that rotation of the sleeve 27-28 isxcontrolled by the key, in other words, that the sleeve 27-28 remains locked in fixed position until released by the insertion ofthe proper key, whereupon the sleeve may be rotated in the usual manner by the key to effect operation of the lock. The key operated mechanism herein shown is of a well known construction, being of the type including a plurality of spring pressed tumblers, some of which are normally laterally'projected beyond the periphery of the sleeve to engage proper abutment means to prevent rotation of the sleeve and adapted to be withdrawn into the sleeve bythe insertion of the key. As clearly shown in the s leeve s ection 27 is provided with a pair ofJ diametrically opposed slots in which a plurality of laterally slidable, relatively thin plate tumblers 36 are adapted to work, cer-v socket so as to turn freely llO/ Figures 3 and 6,.

rlhe plunger 29 includes a cylindrical head projecting therefrom. The stem 40 is slidably disposed within the sleeve section 30 and the latter is also mounted for rotation relatively to the stem. The head 39 of the plunger is adapted to work in the bore 20 of the housing, being guided therein for free sliding movement. A transverse pin 41 fixed in the housing A and projecting into the bore 20 and engaging and working within a longitudinal slot 42 in the head 39 prevents rotation of the plunger but permits reciprocation thereof. The plunger 29 is also. provided with a laterally projecting pin 43 adapted to engage and work within a helical slot 44 formed in the sleeve section 28.. It will be evident that as the plunger 29 is limited to longitudinal movement by means of the pin 41, rotation of the sleeve 27-28 relatively to the plunger will, lthrough the medium of the slot and pin connection between-the plunger and the sleeve 28, effect reciprocation of the plunger. The head of the plunger is Aadapted to be projected into one of the recesses 26 of the nut B to lock the nut to the housing. The engaging portion of the head of the plunger is preferably tapered as shown in Figures 3and 4 to facilitate entrance thereof within the corresponding recess 26. As the extremity of the tapered head is of smaller diameter than the recess 26, the same will engage with a recess even if the latter is not truly registered therewith, and due to the camming act-ion of the tapered portion of the head, the nut will be automatically turned until perfect registration is effected. With the plunger in the position shown in Figure 3, that is, withdrawn from the socket 18 into the bore 20, the nut B will be free to rotate within the socket 18. Upon rotation of the sleeve 27-28 by means of the key 27, the plunger 29 will be projected into the socket 18 and the head thereof into engagement with one of the recesses 26 of the nut B thereby locking the nut to the housing A for rotation therewith. The arms 16 and 17 of the housing A provide means for rotating the same.

To lock the spare wheel in position on the dummy spindle 10, the key is inserted within the lock C and rotated to project the plunger and effect engagement thereof with one of the recesses of the nut B, thereby locking the same to the housing A. The anti-theft device is then screwed onto the threaded outer end of the spindle 10 by rotating the housing by means of the projecting varms 16 and 17. ,The housing A is rotated .until the nut B, which is compelled to rotate therewith, has been screwed home. Thereupon the key is turned so as to withdraw the plunger from engagement with the nut Band the key1 is then withdrawn. When the plunger as been withdrawn from engagement with thel nut B,

the housing willl be rotatable independently of the nut,.as the frictional resistance opposing turning of the nut, due to binding of the coacting threads of the nut and spindle and pressure of the nut on the wheel hub on which it bears, is many times greater than the friction between the nut and the housing, tending to cause the nut to turn therewith. Upon reference to Figure 3, it will be seen that the nut B protrudes a short distance beyond the hub of the housing A, thereby assuring engagement of the same with the end face of the wheel hub 14 and providing the proper clearance betweenv the housing and the hub to prevent actual contact therebetween when the nut is screwed home. It will be evident that when the anti-theft device has been applied, access to the nut is not possible as the same is enclosed within the socket 18.

' When it is desired to remove wheel from the dummy spindle, the key is inserted within the lock and in case one of the openings 26 is not in registration with the plunger, the housing rotates until the plunger is brought into approximate registration with one of the openings 26 of the nut B, whereupon the key is rotated to project the plunger and again lock the nut to the housing. The housing may then be rotated to unscrew the same from the dummy spindle and the wheel removed.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustratedin Figures 8 to 13 inclusive, denotes a dummy spindle which is permanently secured to the rear or other suitable part of the automobile body, 111 and a bracket 112, these parts being in all respects similar to those shown in Figure 2. In the instance shown, the dummy spindle is provided with an extension 150 of rectangular cross section provided with an opening 126 adjacent the outer end thereof. The wheel which is mounted on the spindle is indicated at 1 13 and the hub thereof is designated by 114. The wheel 113 is mounted on the dummy spindle in the manner shown in Figure 2, Athat is, with the extension 15() at the free end of the spindle projecting beyond ythe front side of the hub. The projection 150 which extends beyond the outer face of the hub is adapted to receive the theft proof locking device.

The anti-theft device, proper, shown in Figures 8 to 14 inclusive, comprise broadly, a housing A and a locking mechanism C. i

The housing A of a casting of suitable heavy/"construction, the same comprising a hub-like portion 115 provided with a pair of oppositely projectin integral, radially disposed arms 116 and 11%. The hub 115 of the housing A has a socket 118 of substantiall rectangular cross section formed therein, a apted to receive vthe projection of the spindle. The arm 117 is hollow being provided with an outwardly is preferably in the form by a plate in all respects similar to the locking mechanism C hereinbefore described andincludes a two-part hollow sleeve 127-128 having a plunger 129 working therein. The sleeve 127-128 is provided with an annular flange 132 fitting within the counter bored portion working in the y ner similar to the head of the plunger 29 here.

133 at the outer end of the socket, the flange and the counter bored portion being provided with alined, annular slots or grooves adapted to reecive the locking ring 134. The sleeve section 127 is provided with a plurality of sliding plates 136 adapted to be controlled by the key 137 and engaging within slots 138 in the socket 119. The plunger 129 is adapted to be reciprocated by means of the sleeve 127-128 upon rotation thereof through the medium of the pin 143 on the plunger 129 helical slot 144 in the sleeve section 128, the plunger being held against rotation during its reciprocatlon by the pin 141 engaging within the longitudinal slot 142,

formed in the head 139 of the plunger. The head 139 of the plunger is tapered in a maninbefore described and is adapted to engage within'an opening 126 provided at the free end of the extension 150. To prevent rattling of the parts the socket has a' bowed leaf spring 151 disposed therein at the side opposite the wall having the opening 120 therein, the spring having its opposite end xed to the housing A in any suitable manner and. bearing on the side face of the extension 150. x .e

-'l`o lock the wheel in position on the dummy spindle 110, the anti-theft device is applied to the extension 150 of the spindle, the latter being entered into the socket 118 and the opening 126 thereof registered with the bore 120 of the housing. The plunger is then projected by rotating the sleeve 127%128 through the medium of the ke 137 and is engaged within the recess 126 o the bar, thereby locking the housing to the end of the dummy spindle.l To permit removal of the wheel from the dummy spindle, the sleeve 127-128 is turned in the reverse direction to that just described, thereby withdrawing the plunger head from the opening 126, whereupon the anti-theft device may be bodily removed from the-end of the spindle. In this connection, it is pointed out that the operation of the lockingplunger in the embodiment of the 1nvention just described is the reverse to that of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, the plunger A being retracted' to its innermost position to effect locking of the anti-theft device shown in Figures 1 to 74 inclusive and the plunger being projected to lock the anti-theft device shown in Figures v8 to 14 inclusive.

'As the Ordinar method of aiixing disc wheels to their hugs is by means of a plurality of removable bolts 151, (see Figs. 2 and 9), my anti-theft device, when used with such wheels, is preferably provided with a sheet metal shield 152, having a central aperture adapted vto receive some part of the spindle or shaft, said shield being clamped between the locking device and the hub or spindle. The shape of the shield should be` such that it extends over and about all of the A removable bolts 151 with its edge in such close proximity to the parts of the wheel that the bolts are inaccessible for removal from that side of the wheel. wheel is ofcourse inaccessible, being disposed adj acentthe body of the car.,

have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In an anti-theft device for a wheel mountedon a. support extending through the hub thereof and having a threaded end projecting beyond the outer side of the hub,

The back side of the the combination with a rotatable holder having a socket open at one end; a sleeve adapted to be screwed onto said threaded end, said sleevebeing mounted within said socket and projecting outwardly through the opening thereof beyond the holder and having an end face adapted to be forced against the hub of the wheel when said sleeve is screwed home; and key-controlled means for locking `said sleeve to the holder for' rotation in unison therewith to effect said sleeve.

2. In an anti-theft device for a wheel mounted on a support 'extending through the hub thereof'I and having a threaded end portion projecting beyond the outer side of the hub; the combination with a nut adapted to be screwed onto said 'thread end to bring one end into abutment with the wheel to wedge the nut onto the threaded portion of support; of a holder having a pocket openv at one end only inwhich said nut is mounted, said nuty extending outwardly beyond the pocket to bear on the hubof the wheel, said nut being enclosed by said holder and the outer face of said hub when the holder is in vposition on the support; and a key-operated socket and said socket having an to permit the end face of said movable means T socket adapted to be mounted on said support, the end of said support and means having interengaging wedge elements thereon, said movable means having an end abutment face, unobstructed opening to be brought into engagement with the exposed face of the wheel hub to eect locking wedging engagement of said Wedge elements to retain the wheel on the support; and means for securing the holder to said movable means, whereby said retaining means may be forcibly moved bodily with the holder.

4. In an anti-theft device for a wheel, mounted on a support extending through the hub thereof and having a threaded end portion projecting beyond the outer side of the hub, the combination with a holder having a socket therein; of an internally threade sleeve within said socket and protruding from said holder a sufficient distance to engage the hub of the wheel and space the holder from said hub, said sleeve being freely rotatable in said holder and having a lateral opening; a reciprocating plunger mounted on the holder and adapted to be projected into the opening of said sleeve to lock the holder thereto, whereby the sleeve may be screwe onto said threaded end of the support into engagement with the wheel hub to wedge the threads of said sleeve and support together and positively retain the wheel in position on the support; and key controlled means for effecting movement of said plunger to either project the same into said opening of the sleeve or retract the same to withdraw it from the opening.

5. In an anti-theft spare wheel device, the combination with a holder having a socket therein opening at one end; of a threaded element rotatably mounted in lsaid socket and adapted to be attached to a threaded support for a wheel, said element fitting said socket and having one end thereof exposed through said opening; means disposedinwardly o the end of said element and socket for retaining said element lwithin the socket; and a yielding member interposed between the inner end of said member and the inner end of the having frictional contact with said member and holder.

6. A theft preventing device comprising a body, a blind bore therein, an internally threaded sleeve occupying said bore, an internal annular groove formed -in-the body, an external annular groove formed in said sleeve and disposed in registry with the aforesaid groove, a split ring occupying both of said grooves and preventing withdrawal'of the sleeve from the body without preventing relative rotation between them, means carformed thereon ried by the bodyy for locking said body and sleeve against relative rotation, and spring means acting between the sleeve and the blind end of said body bore ada ted to eliminate rattle between the sleeve and associated parts and to brake relative rotary movement between the body and sleeve.

7. In a theft preventing device, the combination of a shaft having a shoulder and threads at one end, with a Wheel having its hub mounted on said shaft, means for preventing the removal of said wheel from the other end of said shaft, a casing having means formed thereon for rotating said casing, a

threaded member complementary to the vthreaded end of said shaft, rotatably mounted d is in engagement with said hub, and lockable means in said casing for fixing said casing and complementary threaded member to turn together or to rotate freely relative to each other. -1

8. In a theft preventing device, the combination of a shaft having a shoulder `and threads at one end, with a wheel having its hub mounted on said shaft, in eans for pred venting the removal of said wheel from the other end of said shaft, a casing having means for rotating said casing, a threaded member complementary to the threaded end of said shaft, rotatably mounted in said casing and held against axial movement therein, said complementary member having a shoulder exposed to engage said hub, and substantially all of said complementary member being enclosed when the latter shoulder is in engagement with said hub, but said casing being out of frictional engagement with said hub, and key actuated means in said casing for causing said casing and complement-ary member to turn together or to rotate freely relative to each other.

threads at one end, with a disc wheel carried by a hub with removable fastening means, said hub being for preventing the removal of said wheel from the other end of said shaft, a casing having means formed thereon for rotating said casing, a threaded member complementary to the threaded end of said shaft, rotatably mounted in said casing, held against axial movement therein and slightly protruding from said casing, said complementary member having a shoulder exposed to engage said hub, and substantially all of said complementary Vmember being enclosed when said later shoulder is -in engagement with said hub, lockable means in said casing for fixing mounted on said shaft, means from to retain a spare part, with a holder hav-- ing a socket therein, an internally threaded sleeve within said socket and protruding from said holder a suflicient distance to engage a spare part and space the holder from said part, said sleeve being freely rotatable in said holder and having a pair of opposed shoulders, a reciprocating plunger carried by said holder and adapted to be projected between said shoulders to prevent relative rotation between said holder and sleeve, whereby said sleeve may be screwed on the threaded end of said bolt into engagement with said spare part to wedge the threads of said sleeve and support together and positively retain the spare part on said support and key controlled means for eecting movement of said plunger to either project the same between said shoulders or to retract the same to withdraw it from the opening.

11. In a theft Ipreventing device the combi-l `nation of a holder having la socket' therein, a threaded member rotatably mounted in said socket and protruding from said holder to engage a spare part and space the holder from said part, said member having a pair of opposed shoulders within said holder, and key actuated means carried by said holder for movement between said shoulders to prevent relative rotation between said holder and member,wherebysaidmembermaybe screwed into wedging engagement with a spare part or said member may be released for free rotation in said holder.

12. In a theft preventing device the combination of a casing having a socket therein, a threaded member rotatably mounted in said socket, said member projecting from said socket and having a pair ofl opposed shoulders in said socket, a plunger adapted to be projected between said shoulders, and key actuated means for withdrawing said plunger from engagement with said shoulders .whereby said casing may be locked to said member to rotate the same into wedging engagement with a spare-partor said casing may be made freely rotatable on said member.

13. A lock comprising: a bolt; a nut threaded on said bolt, said bolt passing through said nut; a casing surrounding said nut and free to rotate with relation thereto; means for securing said casing around said nut; key-operated means for locking said casing on said nut so that said nut may be unscrewed by turning said casing, said key-operated means comprising a locking bolt sliding in said casing and adapted to engage said nut; and means for sliding said locking boltV into, or out of, engagement with said nut.

14. The combination with a securing nut, of a housing open at one end and adapted to be applied endwise to the nut, means for securing the housing to the nut to prevent endwise separation thereof, and spring operating means to prevent rattling of the housing after it has been applied. L

15. The combination with a securing nut, of a housing therefor, adapted to cover the nut, means for preventing endwise separation of the housing from the nut, and anti-rattling devices concealed by the housing and arranged to prevent rattling of the latter after it has been applied to the nut. e

'16. The combination with a securing nut, of a housing therefor open at one end and closed at its opposite end, whereby it is adapted to be placed over the nut by endwise movement, means for securing the housing to thev nut to prevent endwise separationv thereof, and anti-rattling devices within the housing located between the housing and the nut.

17. The .combination'with a securing nut, of a housing having an open end to receive a threaded member in 4said nut, and adapted to prevent access to said nut, with means for retaining said housing on said nut and resilient means for preventing rattling of said housing relative to said nut.

18. The combination of a threaded member having a shoulder for use -in turning said member with a housing carried by said threaded member and preventing access to the same, and resilient means for preventing rattling of said housing relative to said' threaded member.

19. In a theft preventing device, the combination of a casing having a socket therein, a threaded member adapted to rotate in said socket, said member having an exposed surface for frictionally engaging a part to be secured by said device, key actuated means carried by said casing for selectively engaging said threaded member to rotate the same by means of said casing, a spare part having a threaded member complementary to said first mentioned threaded member, and a spare part on said support secured by said first mentioned member.

20. In a spare part lock, the combination of a removable securing member adapted to secure a spare part to a supportfwith a casing member for enclosing and protecting said securing member, means for securing said casv ing on said securing member, and a resilient anti-ratting device carried by said casing and engaging said securing memebr to prevent rattling of said casing. t

21. In a spare part lock, the combination of a threaded member for securing a spare part f tween said casing and for preventing access to said threaded mem er, means for securing said casing in position to protect said threaded member and resilient means tensioned bethreaded member for preventing rattling of said casing relative to said threaded member.

22. In a spare part lock for automobiles and the like, the combination of a threaded member adapted to secure a spare part to a support by threading said member into Wedging engagement With other parts, said threaded member having an annular groove in the same, a casing' member for enclosing and preventing access to said threaded member, means carried by said casing for engaging in to a support, a casin said' annular groove to secure said casing on` said threaded member, and a resilient member tensioned between a part of said casing and a part of said threaded member to prevent rattling of said casing.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of November, v1923.

RAY W. JOHNSON. 

